Chinese Medicine for Diabetes Mellitus

In Chinese medicine, diabetes mellitus is known as “Xiao Ke”, meaning “wasting and thirsting.” It is seen as a disorder of dryness and internal heat that damages fluids and depletes yin. Over time, this imbalance affects the lungs, stomach, and kidneys—three key organs that govern moisture and metabolism. Treatment focuses on nourishing fluids, clearing heat, and restoring yin balance.

Lung Fire

Common Signs

  • Dry mouth, throat, and nose

  • Constant thirst and excessive drinking

  • Red, sore throat with pain or swelling

  • Frequent urination with normal bowel movements

  • Vomiting blood in severe cases

Treatment Principle
Clear lung heat, nourish fluids, and relieve thirst.

Herbal Formulas: Xiao-Ke-Fang and Jiang-Tang-Yi-Hao-Fang

Helpful Foods: Lily flower, salt, cattail, asparagus, soya milk, duck egg, olive

Stomach Fire

Common Signs

  • Strong hunger, eating often but still losing weight

  • Dry mouth and lips, constipation with dry stools

  • Painful, swollen gums or bleeding between the teeth

  • Bitter taste in the mouth

  • Red, sore throat and toothache

  • Headache, hiccups, or nosebleed

  • Fever or heat sensations in the body

  • In children, restless sleep or poor appetite

Treatment Principle
Sedate stomach fire, nourish yin, and moisten dryness.

Herbal Formulas: Shi-Gao-Zhi-Mu-Jia-Ren-Shen-Tang and Jiang-Tang-Er-Hao-Fang

Helpful Foods: Areca nut, buckwheat, common carp, banana, bitter endive, black fungus, salt, spinach, strawberry, bamboo shoot, cucumber, Job’s tears, liver, beet leaf, mung bean, peppermint, purslane, lily flower, cattail

Kidney Yin Deficiency

Common Signs

  • Frequent urination or urine thick like oil

  • Thirst and dryness of the mouth, especially at night

  • Hot sensations in the palms, soles, or chest

  • Night sweats or fatigue

  • Lower back pain or heel pain

  • Ringing in the ears or blurry vision

  • Seminal emission with dreams

  • Insomnia or restlessness

  • Loose or shaky teeth

Treatment Principle
Nourish kidney yin, moisten dryness, and secure the essence.

Herbal Formulas: Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan, Wu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan, or Jiang-Tang-San-Hao-Fang

Helpful Foods: Abalone, asparagus, chicken egg, cuttlefish, duck, duck egg, white fungus, oyster, pork, royal jelly, chestnut, chicken liver, pork kidney

Chinese medicine views diabetes as a progressive internal heat and dryness condition that drains yin and body fluids.

  • Lung fire creates upper-body thirst.

  • Stomach fire causes excessive hunger and heat.

  • Kidney yin deficiency leads to frequent urination and exhaustion.
    Restoring moisture, cooling heat, and rebuilding yin energy helps regulate thirst, hunger, and energy—returning the body to balance.